Digital camera having a motion tracking subsystem responsive to input control for tracking motion of the digital camera

Claim 1

A digital camera, comprising: an input control to initiate capture of a digital image; a motion tracking subsystem responsive to the input control to track motion of the digital camera. an output of the motion tracking subsystem indicating the quantity of motion of the digital camera as a function of time; and control logic configured to delay capture of the digital image until the outnut of the motion tracking subsystem satisfies a motion criterion, wherein the control logic is further configured to capture the digital image upon the expiration of a predetermined timeout period measured from an actuation of the input control, when the output of the motion tracking subsystem fails to satisfy the motion criterion within the predetermined timeout period; wherein the motion criterion comprises the output of the motion tracking subsystem reaching an approximate local minimum being below a threshold; wherein the input control comprises a pushbutton switch having at least a first position and a second position, the first position activating the motion tracking subsystem, the second position requesting capture of the digital image, and the control logic is configured to select the threshold, at least in part, based on an interval between an actuation of the input control to the first position and an actuation of the input control to the second position.

Claim 10

A method for reducing image blur in a digital camera, comprising: tracking motion of the digital camera in response to a first input signal; and delaying capture of a digital image, following receipt of a second input signal, until the motion of the digital camera satisfies a motion criterion, wherein the first and second input signals are one and the same input signal; wherein the motion criterion comprises the motion of the digital camera reaching an approximate local minimum being below a threshold, wherein the threshold is selected to be a value lying between a minimum and a maximum motion of the digital camera measured during an interval between receipt of the first input signal and receipt of the second input signal.

Claim 11

A method for reducing image blur in a digital camera, comprising: tracking motion of the digital camera in response to a first input signal; and delaying capture of a digital image, following receipt of a second input signal, until the motion of the digital camera satisfies a motion criterion, wherein the first and second input signals are one and the same input signal; wherein the motion criterion comprises the motion of the digital camera reaching an approximate local minimum being below a threshold, wherein the threshold is selected to be a value lying between a minimum and a maximum motion of the digital camera measured during an interval between receipt of the first input signal and receipt of the second input signal.